Career Center

The Clinical Contact Center Physician a full-time physician that is a virtual position with VISN 2. This Physician will provide healthcare to individuals, families, and other designated coverage areas as part of the Clinical Contact Center. The main role is to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses by virtual physical exams, taking medical histories, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, and recommending a care plan. To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed. Current, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training, approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), b) OR [(2) Those approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),OR (3) Other residencies (non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of five years of verified practice in the United States), which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences. Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e., not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent or fee-basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather, they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally, surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs. Proficiency in spoken and written English. Required Experience: Board Certified in Emergency Medicine Preferred Experience: at least 3 years of experience in Emergency Department or Urgent Care Center. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-2 Physician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, adequate auditory perception, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially extended periods of computer use, virtual care equipment use, sitting and/or standing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must meet Employee Health mandates as a condition of employment. ["VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package. VHA Physician Total Rewards. Pay: Competitive salary, annual performance bonus, regular salary increases\nPaid Time Off: 50-55 days of annual paid time offer per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME)\nRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA\nInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)\nLicensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory\nCME: Possible $1,000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification)\nMalpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided\nContract: No Physician Employment Contract no significant restriction on moonlighting The Clinical Contact Center Physician a full-time Emergency Medicine Physician member that is a virtual position located within the VISN 2 Clinical Contact Center. The VISN 2 Clinical Contact Center (CCC) intends to provide 24/7 virtual access to dedicated staff, providers and a range of clinical and administrative services, including clinical nurse triage for evaluation of symptoms and disposition of health care concerns, virtual clinical visits with providers for acute and episodic care needs, pharmacy services, and appointment scheduling. Providers include licensed independent practitioners (LIP) [physicians, nurse practitioners]. The VISN 2 CCC provides a convenient, patient-centered, safe, and easily accessible option for Veterans to address their health care needs. Seamless and consistent care is also provided during public health emergencies and natural disasters. The VISN 2 Clinical Contact Center consolidates these services through one center, serving Veterans that receive care at a facility within VISN 2. The primary purpose of the VISN 2 Clinical Contact Center Physician is to provide healthcare to individuals, families, and/or groups within VISN 2 and other designated coverage areas as part of the Clinical Contact Center. The physician's primary role is to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses by performing virtual physical exams, taking medical histories, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, and recommending a plan of care (as permitted by the technology). The position specifically involves a combination of telehealth skills and urgent care clinical services both of which require the application of mature professional judgment and the flexible use of a wide range of professional abilities. The physician in the VISN 2 Clinical Contact Center collaborates with a team of registered nurses (RNs), other providers and administrative staff to provide clinical care to patients by using a virtual triage system. The physician strives to provide optimal clinically meaningful first contact resolution to patients and promotes coordination of care. The physician communicates with the healthcare team and other providers within and outside of the Clinical Contact Center to improve clinical management through feedback loops, refinement of practices, and integration of improvement into VHA processes. In addition to the general duties described above, specific duties include the following functions, but are not limited to: Follows evidence-based guidelines to provide direction for assessment, medical care, and follow-up, as appropriate to Clinical Contact Center nurse triage staff. Receive referrals for assessment, medical care, and follow-up, as appropriate from Clinical Contact Center nurse triage staff. Perform histories and physical examinations on outpatients. History and physical examinations will mostly use rely on the use of Telehealth technology. Screen outpatients to determine need for further care. Conduct warm handoff for direct referral to VISN 2 Medical Centers for emergent or urgent medical care, if indicated. Prescribe medications within defined scope of practice. Order diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, x-rays, electrocardiograms (EKG's) and appropriate follow-up on results. Provide education and counseling of patients and families as it relates to medical conditions, follow-up care and the use of prescribed treatments and drugs. Provide clinically appropriate follow-up outpatient care for previously evaluated patients Utilizes patient care information systems such as VistA and CPRS to obtain critical patient data elements and to document clinical interventions and other pertinent patient care issues in a timely, concise and professional manner. Work Schedule: The position potentially requires schedule and assignments flexibility as this is a 24/7 VISN CCC. Shifts may vary in order to meet the needs of the VISN 2 CCC, but total hours worked will not exceed 80 hours per 2-week period. Incumbent will be required and be scheduled to work days, nights, weekends and holiday shifts."]